San Fabiano, Prato

San Fabiano

San Fabiano is a Romanesque-style church and abbey in Prato, Tuscany, central Italy. It is located at Via di Gherardo and Via del Seminario street in Prato.[1] The early medieval church is one of Prato's oldest churches.[2]

History

The church was documented in 1082, and construction lasted into 12th century. The church is noted for the 11th century mosaic pavement, depicting panthers, sirens, griffins, and floral motifs,[3] which were found during restoration of the church. The mosaic is made of light Alberese tiles and black marble.[1] The mosaic images, like the siren, are believed to depict pagan symbols,[2] which suggests that the church was built on a former pagan site.[4]

Niccolò Soggi, Baldo Magini with a model of the Church of San Fabiano, 1522.

In the 15th century[5] or the beginning of the 16th century, the brick polygonal bell-tower was added to the church.[1] In 1522 Niccolò Soggi made the painting Baldo Magini with a model of the Church of San Fabiano.[6]

The polychrome wooden Crucifix located behind the altar is also from the 16th century. Within the courtyard is a facade that has a white and green Prato marble archivolt portal.[1]

Originally attached to a Benedictine monastery, it later passed to the Vallumbrosan Order.[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to San Fabiano (Prato).
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Church of San Fabiano. Prato Turismo. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 John Moretti. Frommer's Florence, Tuscany and Umbria. John Wiley & Sons; 5 January 2010. ISBN 978-0-470-59766-8. p. 257.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rete Civica di Prato, short introduction.
  4. ↑ David Bershad; Caroline Mangone. The Christian Travelers Guide to Italy. Zondervan; 27 December 2011. ISBN 978-0-310-31575-9. p. 247.
  5. ↑ Prato. Life in Italy. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  6. ↑ 1520s. Portrait timeline. Retrieved 25 May 2014.

Coordinates: 43°53′2.75″N 11°5′38.35″E / 43.8840972°N 11.0939861°E